Sui Dynasty, outskirts of Yangzhou.
"Young Master Ling, do you think we can make it onto this list?"
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling stared at the ranking in the sky, their eyes flashing with envy.
"Stop dreaming. The thirtieth place is already at the Late Innate Realm. We've only cultivated the Longevity Art for a month and barely reached the Early Innate Realm. How can we make the list?" Xu Ziling replied grumpily.
"That's not necessarily true. Didn't the Hidden Dragon Ranking say that it's based on more than just strength? Talent, cultivation method, and luck matter too. As the Yangzhou Twin Dragons, why not us?"
Kou Zhong grinned.
Just as he spoke, the ranking refreshed.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 29]
[Kou Zhong]
[Identity: One of the Yangzhou Twin Dragons of the Sui Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Early Innate Realm]
[Technique: Longevity Art, Nine Profound Method]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Low-Tier Pill: Vital Essence Pill, increases thirty years of internal energy.]
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 28]
[Xu Ziling]
[Identity: One of the Yangzhou Twin Dragons of the Sui Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Early Innate Realm]
[Technique: Longevity Art, Nine Profound Method]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Low-Tier Pill: Vital Essence Pill, increases thirty years of internal energy.]
As the two names appeared, both froze.
After the initial shock, joy flooded their hearts.
"Young Master Ling, am I seeing things?" Kou Zhong asked in disbelief.
"The pill is already in your hand. It's real."
"Hahaha! We're actually geniuses. The Yangzhou Twin Dragons are about to be famous across the Nine Provinces."
"Quick! Take the pill and get out of here. If someone finds us, we're finished."
They reacted swiftly, swallowing the Vital Essence Pills immediately.
In an instant, a surge of powerful energy flooded their bodies.
Their cultivation rose rapidly.
"Young Masters Zhong and Ling, so this is where you've been hiding. Wan Wan really had a hard time finding you!"
"Who would've thought you two made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking."
"Wan Wan must offer her congratulations!"
Suddenly, a sweet and melodic voice rang out.
The two of them felt a chill down their spines, fear gripping their hearts.
"That demoness Wan Wan, you're like a lingering ghost," Kou Zhong growled.
"Hand over the Longevity Art and your Heaven's reward, and Wan Wan will let you go. How about that?"
"Even if we die, we won't let you succeed. And we've already taken the pills!"
"Hehe, in that case, Wan Wan has no choice but to capture you."
In the next moment, a ghostly, enchanting figure blocked their path.
Just as she was about to strike…
A sharp wave of sword energy shot through the air.
"You again, Nun Shi! Always ruining my plans. Do you want the Longevity Art too?"
Wan Wan fumed with anger.
Every time, this annoying woman came to sabotage her efforts.
"Senior Sister Wan Wan, I'm only trying to stop you from doing evil."
A graceful figure like an ethereal fairy appeared before the three.
"Fairy sister, save us! That demoness is going to kill us!"
"It's Fairy Shi! We're saved!"
Compared to Wan Wan, Shi Feixuan was someone they could trust.
"Senior Sister Wan Wan, do you really want Brother Su Yi to think you're someone who kills the innocent?"
Shi Feixuan sighed softly.
Upon hearing that, Wan Wan's face changed.
"Nun, you keep following me like a shadow and ruining everything I do. All because you want to find that heartless man Su Yi?"
"Hmph! You love-struck little nun, I'm not telling you anything!"
At that moment, the Twin Dragons were already forgotten.
Shi Feixuan was her true enemy.
———
Sui Dynasty Imperial Palace.
"Minister Yuwen, do you know the Yangzhou Twin Dragons?"
A glint flashed in Emperor Yang Guang's eyes.
"Your Majesty, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were originally street ruffians in Yangzhou. By chance, they stole the Longevity Art from Shi Long, which led to their current status."
Yuwen Huaji dared not conceal anything and quickly replied.
"The cultivation method they use, the Longevity Art, is one of the Four Great Mystical Scriptures of the martial world."
"Longevity Art... Do you think it really grants immortality?"
A deep desire stirred within Yang Guang.
Years of indulgence had begun to wear down his body.
"Your Majesty, I will bring them to you immediately."
Yuwen Huaji bowed respectfully.
Though inwardly, he scoffed.
Immortality? What a mad dream.
Even if it were possible, it wouldn't be for a tyrant like you.
"Hahaha! Excellent. Minister Yuwen, don't disappoint me."
———
Great Qin Imperial Palace.
Ying Zheng looked at the two names on the list with doubt in his eyes.
"Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling… Longevity Art…"
"They're only at the Early Innate Realm and still made the list?"
"It must be because of the Longevity Art."
"National Master, have you heard of this Longevity Art?"
"Can it truly grant eternal life?"
After the Golden Rankings appeared, Ying Zheng had summoned Yue Shen to answer all his questions.
"Your Majesty, the Longevity Art is one of the Four Great Mystical Scriptures of the Sui Dynasty's martial world. Its origins are extremely mysterious."
"As for immortality… it might just be possible."
Yue Shen paused, then answered solemnly.
"Zhao Gao, send someone to the Sui Dynasty immediately. Bring me the Longevity Art."
"If anyone resists, eliminate them."
Ying Zheng's tone was cold and decisive.
If there was even a sliver of hope for immortality, he wouldn't miss it.
If the Sui Dynasty dared to resist, he wouldn't hesitate to wage war.
He had never taken the Sui Dynasty or Emperor Yang Guang seriously, only disdain.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhao Gao did not dare delay.
He immediately mobilized the Net Trap organization to infiltrate the Sui Dynasty and seize the Longevity Art.
———
Sui Dynasty, Lingnan, Song Family Mountain City.
Blade Sharpening Hall.
"Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling have actually cultivated the Longevity Art?"
"Decent juniors. Perhaps in the future, the two of them can serve as witnesses for my blade."
"Let's hope they don't die halfway through."
Heaven Blade Song Que glanced at the ranking with a glimmer of excitement in his heart.
With the Golden Rankings now revealed, chaos in the Nine Provinces was likely to intensify.
But at the same time, a wider path had opened for countless martial artists.
Whether that was good or bad remained unclear.
"What is it?" Song Que asked, slightly annoyed.
"Master, Xie Hui from the Sole Venerable Fortress in Bashu has come to propose marriage, bringing his son Xie Wenlong to seek our young lady's hand."
Song Que fell into thought.
If it were before, he might have agreed to this match.
But now, with the emergence of the Golden Rankings and the shifting tides, the Sole Venerable Fortress was no longer qualified.
"Inform Yuhua and let her decide how to handle it."